“We began negotiations at the start of the year.”
“I don’t know how they do things in Sicily, but in the US, consorting with the enemy is an immediate death sentence.”
He pulls two cigars out of a tin in the center console, offering me one. I shake my head, uncaring if he feels slighted. “I am well aware of how they do things in the US, my boy. I have lived here most of my life.”
“Why conceal your identity? Why have everyone believe you were leading through Gifoli from your seat in Sicily?”
“Why do any of us make any decisions?” he says, flicking open an old silver lighter. “For power and control.”
“How have you managed to keep this a secret for so long?” I won’t show any admiration for the man because there is nothing I admire about him, but what he has achieved is no easy feat.
“By containing the knowledge of my true identity to a small handful of trusted people.” He lights his cigar, bringing it to his lips and inhaling.
“It’s why you took Georgia’s name when you married her.” I bark out a laugh as something occurs to me, and he eyes me curiously. “You dangled the truth in front of us. If I’m not mistaken, Joseph is the English version of Giuseppe. I bet you got a real kick out of that.”
“I did.” He smirks, continuing to puff on his cigar. “You all think you’re so clever in New York. That The Outfit is second to your organization, but you are wrong.” A muscle clenches in his jaw. “Chicago is the true seat of power, and I am the Italian mafioso’s true natural leader. The Commission will answer to me, not the other way around.”
That power trip has clearly gone to his head. He might have fooled us all these years, but his business is inferior to ours. We have increased oursoldatinumbers two-fold in the past five years, and our net worth has quadrupled. DeLuca has been so busy patting himself on the back for pulling the wool over our eyes that he has missed the memo. Things are moving forward, and if The Outfit doesn’t catch up, they will soon be obsolete. In his twisted head, he might believe he holds all the cards, but he is the one who needs us more. “The Commission will never answer to you. All that you will achieve is a bloody internal war. Is that what you want? To see your men slaughtered? Your city ravaged? Your power in tatters?”
“Ben, Ben, Ben.” He shakes his head. “I thought you were the insightful one.”
I visualize slamming his face into the window this time with my hands around his neck, squeezing every last bit of oxygen from his lungs.
“Of course, they won’t answer to me. Those smug bastards think they are above everyone. No, the only way we can do this is to get rid of them.”
“We?You can’t seriously be suggesting what I think you’re suggesting.” Disbelief radiates from my tone.
The car heads down the ramp, onto the highway, and I wonder where he is taking me.
“Don’t pretend you haven’t been on the ultimate power trip these past few years, Bennett. Own your achievements, son.”
Bile floods my mouth, and I bite hard on my cheek to ignore the urge to retaliate. “I know what I’ve achieved and what is still left to achieve. Killing the rest of the New Yorkfamigliais not on my agenda.”
“I know you are loyal. It is our way, but think about it.” He finishes his cigar, leaving the butt in the ashtray, and grips my arm. “Together, you and I will be a formidable force. We will reorganize The Commission, and I will rule La Cosa Nostra as don, and you will be our underboss.”
I’m guessing Gifoli isn’t listening in on the conversation unless DeLuca is lying and he plans to use me to get the other dons out of the way and then dispose of me. I wouldn’t put it past him. “You are crazy if you think anyone would commit their allegiance to you after wiping out The Commission.”
“That’s where you come in. Your powers of persuasion are legendary, and I’ve already struck a deal with the Bratva. In exchange for gifting them a couple of key territories, we will sign a peace treaty. That is what I offer my fellow Italian Americans. Peace and prosperity.”
“You were behind the attacks on Vegas and Philly,” I surmise.
“I designed the strategy and helped the Russians with execution. See how easy it was to run rings around The Commission?”
Either he’s suffering from amnesia or he’s deliberately ignoring the Bratva’s failure to take Philly this week.
“And they have the nerve to call themselves the leaders of La Cosa Nostra.” He tut-tuts. “They are a disgrace.” He slams his hand down on the arm rest. “An abomination.”
“I won’t do it,” I tell him. “I won’t betray my family.”
He chuckles, and I’m two seconds from throttling him with my bare hands.
“I know you won’t, which is why I arranged for the right incentive.” He pulls a small TV screen down from the ceiling, and every muscle in my body strains with fear and rage as the image flickers to life.
Sierra is slumped on the floor of a dirty van, lying motionless with her eyes closed. Around her, eight men converse and laugh while eyeing her with dark intent.
My hands are around Giuseppe’s throat before I’ve processed the motion. Spittle flies from my mouth as I squeeze his neck, wanting to snuff out the amused look in his eyes. “You better pray she is just unconscious because I will burn your fucking world down if you have hurt her or my son!” I roar.
The muzzle of a gun presses into the side of my skull. “Release the boss now, Mazzone, or I’ll fucking shoot,” Gifoli says, digging the weapon in tighter. I didn’t even hear the privacy screen lowering or sense him leaning into the back.
